SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Work”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Growth of working boys in Jordan: a cross-sectional survey using non-working male siblings as comparisons.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of work on growth of Jordanian boys, aged 10-16 years, using non-working male siblings as controls. SETTING: The Jordanian areas of Irbid, Jarash and the North Jordan Valley. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of working boys and their non-working brothers. MAIN OUTCOMES: Height-for-age z-score; weight-for-age z-score. METHODS: Working boys (103) and non-working male siblings (103) (nearest in age to the working child) were interviewed, with their mothers, in the family home. Heights and weights of the working boys and their non-working male siblings were measured, and capillary blood was taken for packed-cell volume estimation. Heights and weights were converted to z-scores, and means for all three outcomes were compared between working boys and non-working siblings, using independent sample t-tests. The effect of the proportion of household income contributed by the working child's income on the main outcomes, among non-working siblings, was estimated by simple linear regression. RESULTS: Means for height-for-age z-score (p < 0.001), weight-for-age z-score (p < 0.001), and packed-cell volume (p < 0.001) among working boys were significantly lower than means for their non-working siblings. The main outcomes among non-working siblings were not significantly correlated with the proportion of household income contributed by the working child. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that work among boys aged 10-16 years in Jordan puts them at increased risk of stunting, wasting and anaemia. Previous studies have suggested this relationship but have suffered from confounding by socioeconomic status. Comparison with non-working siblings reduces the chances of socioeconomic status confounding.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Need for recovery from work: evaluating short-term effects of working hours, patterns and schedules.

In this paper working hours, patterns and work schedules of employees were evaluated in terms of need for recovery from work. Self-administered questionnaire data from employees of the Maastricht Cohort Study on Fatigue at Work (n = 12,095) were used. Poisson regression analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that higher working hours a day and working hours a week generally went together with more need for recovery from work. Overtime work was particularly associated with higher need for recovery from work in both genders. Both male and female three-shift or irregular shift workers had higher odds of elevated need for recovery compared to day workers. When additionally controlling for work-related factors, need for recovery levels among shift workers substantially lowered. This study clearly showed that working hours and schedules are associated with need for recovery from work, with different associations for men and women. Especially the associations between work schedules and need for recovery from work were very interrelated with other work-related factors. Future studies could further investigate the possibility that shift work might function as a proxy of other work-related factors that explain the different levels in need for recovery from work, or that job demands are perceived higher among shift workers and may therefore lead to more need for recovery from work.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Analysis of the work of the head nurse and a work model for the head nurse in university hospitals in Korea].

When the head nurse who is pivotal in the nursing service administration of the hospital performs efficiently as a first-line manager, the effectiveness of the nursing unit, which includes the quality of nursing care, the job satisfaction of staff members, and the cohesiveness of staff members is increased. With this point of view in mind, the researcher carried out a study to determine the actual work (the content of the work, the work process, the role of the head nurse, the activity media, and the purpose of the work) of the head nurse in a university hospital in Korea. In addition, this study was also carried out for the purpose of preparing an ideal model for the work of the head nurse. The research subjects were 39 head nurses. This included all the head nurses in two university hospitals except those who were working in outpatient care, operating rooms, central supply, nursing administration, in-service education and emergency care. Data were collected from September 24th to October 21st, 1987 and April 4th to 12th, 1988. A work activity record on which the head nurse recorded directly in a chronological narrative form, was used as the research instrument. The 234 work activity records, 39 head nurse's continuous recording over 6 days (from Monday to Saturday) were collected and analysed. The results were as follows: 1. With regard to the work content for the total daily work of the head nurse, 45.2% of the activities were managerial activities but 58.1% of the head nurse's time was spent in direct patient care. 2. With regard to the work process of the head nurse, specifically the location, the size and membership of groups contacted, the results were as follows: 1) Of the total daily work activities 92.4% were carried out in the nursing unit and this occupied 84. 5% of total daily work time. Direct patient care was generally performed on the nursing unit and managerial work was performed in other areas. 2) Of the total daily work activities, 73% was with one or more persons and 51.2% of total daily work time was spent in groups. 3) A total of 51 persons, working in different capacities were contacted. These included 21 persons giving patient care, 19 persons working in nursing unit management, and 7 persons working in human resource management.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Hospitals, University↗

PubMed1997

Implications of flexible work systems for work studies.

The relationship between changing work systems and work study methods is discussed by focusing on a recent trend toward more flexible work systems in different countries. These systems are commonly characterized by (a) uncoupling of working hours from business hours, (b) combining different atypical work forms and (c) individualized work patterns. Increased flexibility in working patterns is demanded because business hours may be covered by different workers and because special arrangements become necessary for unpopular shifts or linking separate jobs. Changes in work systems seem more successful when they are associated with (a) multiskilled work, (b) independent task implementation, (c) networked communication, (d) balanced or adjusted workload, and (e) accommodation of workers' preferences. Special attention is drawn to safety and health concerns and work-life effects. Many intervention studies done for work improvement are paying attention to multifaceted work aspects, locally available options, and participation by people. All these elements are important because prepackaged solutions do not exist. The following three views seem especially useful for action-oriented work studies: 1) Look at multiple aspects of the work, including work content and atypical work forms; 2) Know worker preferences and available options; and 3) Take into account work elements that may not be well defined, but important from local points of view. It is envisioned that these studies can provide support for a well-informed participatory process of work system changes in each local context.

Attitude↗

PubMed1996

[The effect of work-related stress with change of working conditions for workers with alcohol drinking habit and liver disorder].

To evaluate the relationship between working conditions and workers' health, particularly the effect of work-related stress with change of working conditions for those with alcohol drinking habit and liver disorder, we analyzed physiological examination data and a questionnaire survey including the Japanese version of Karasek's Job Content Questionnaires (JCQ) on work-related stress, working hours, sleeping hours, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking among male workers of a car manufacturing plant, who engaged in car sales work temporarily and then returned to manufacturing work. In the physiological examination data, the values of body mass index (BMI), GOT, GPT, gamma-GTP, TG and T-CHO rose and the prevalence of obesity and liver disorder increased during the term of car sales work. Comparing the term of car sales work with the term of car manufacturing work, the number of habitual drinkers and heavy smokers increased during the former and decreased during the latter. Increased alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were also noted during the term of car sales work. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of decreasing 'decision latitude (DL)' as work-related stress was statistically significant for increased alcohol consumption. The increased alcohol consumption probably contributing to the prevalence of liver disorder was assumed to be associated with work-related stress due to change of work conditions. Workers who showed liver disorder strongly complained of work-related stress, and it was assumed that the work-related stress was related to liver disorder. Longitudinal observations which take into account work-related stress, alcohol drinking habit and liver disorder must be well planned and personal traits of work-related stress always be taken into consideration.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Why are some medical specialists working part-time, while others work full-time?

Although medical specialists primarily work full-time, part-time work is on the increase, a trend that can be found worldwide. This article seeks to answer the question why some medical specialists work part-time, while others do not although they are willing to work part-time. Two approaches are used. First, we studied reported reasons and as a second approach we used a theoretical model, based on goal-directed behavior and restrictions. A questionnaire was sent to all internists (N=817), surgeons (N=693) and radiologists (N=621) working in general hospitals in The Netherlands. Questions were asked about personal traits, characteristics of the work situation, and motives for working full-time or part-time. Frequencies were reported for the reasons given, and multilevel analysis was used to test the theoretical model. The results show that the reported reasons for working part-time and being willing to work part-time are the same: the importance of family and leisure pursuits. The second approach showed that medical specialists working part-time tend to be female, older, and have children below the age of five. Surgeons are least likely to work part-time. A willingness to work part-time is purely individual and not related to any of the explanatory variables. We conclude that working part-time is related to both professional and personal circumstances. Policy should be aimed at removing the organizational difficulties that obstruct the realization of part-time work. Alternatively, perhaps there should be a change in working hours for all medical specialists. As the majority of all full-time working medical specialists are willing to work part-time, this might indicate that most medical specialists actually prefer "normal" working hours.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Shift work and work injury in the New Zealand Blood Donors' Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between work patterns and the occurrence of work injury. METHODS: A cross sectional analysis of the New Zealand Blood Donors Health Study conducted among the 15 687 (70%) participants who reported being in paid employment. After measurement of height and weight, a self-administered questionnaire collected information concerning occupation and work pattern, lifestyle behaviour, sleep, and the occurrence of an injury at work requiring treatment from a doctor during the past 12 months. RESULTS: Among paid employees providing information on work pattern, 3119 (21.2%) reported doing shift work (rotating with nights, rotating without nights, or permanent nights) and 1282 (8.7%) sustained a work injury. In unadjusted analysis, work injury was most strongly associated with employment in heavy manual occupations (3.6, 2.8 to 4.6) (relative risk, 95% CI), being male (1.9, 1.7 to 2.2), being obese (1.7, 1.5 to 2.0), working rotating shifts with nights (2.1, 1.7 to 2.5), and working more than three nights a week (1.9, 1.6 to 2.3). Snoring, apnoea or choking during sleep, sleep complaints, and excessive daytime sleepiness were also significantly associated with work injury. When mutually adjusting for all significant risk factors, rotating shift work, with or without nights, remained significantly associated with work injury (1.9, 1.5 to 2.4) and (1.8, 1.2 to 2.6), respectively. Working permanent night shifts was no longer significantly associated with work injury in the adjusted model. CONCLUSION: Work injury is highly associated with rotating shift work, even when accounting for increased exposure to high risk occupations, lifestyle factors, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed1997

Aging, work, life-style and work ability among Finnish municipal workers in 1981-1992.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to explain changes in work ability through occupational and life-style factors. METHODS: Work ability was measured by an index describing workers' health resources in regard to their work demands. The work factors mainly included physical and mental demands, social organization and the physical work environment. The life-style factors covered smoking, alcohol consumption, and leisure-time physical exercise. The first questionnaire study was done in 1981 and it was repeated in 1992. The subjects (N = 818) were workers in the 44- to 51-year-old age group in the beginning of the study who were active during the entire follow-up. The improvement and, correspondingly, the decline in work ability were analyzed by logistic regression models. RESULTS: Both the improvement and the decline in work ability were associated more strongly with changes in work and life-style during the follow-up than with their initial variation. The model for improved work ability included improvement of the supervisor's attitude, decreased repetitive movements at work, and increased amount of vigorous leisure-time physical exercise. Deterioration in work ability was explained by a model which included a decrease in recognition and esteem at work, decrease in workroom conditions, increase in standing at work, and decrease in vigorous leisure-time physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Social relations at work can promote or impair the work ability of elderly workers. Although the work ability of elderly workers generally declined with aging, both older and younger workers were also able to improve their work ability.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Spinal shrinkage during work in a sitting posture compared to work in a standing posture.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to measure the possible differences in shrinkage of the thoracolumbar spine in subjects working in a sitting and a standing posture for 6.5 h at work, in a realistic work environment. The isolated shrinkage of the thoracic and the lumbar spine was also examined. STUDY DESIGN: This study presents a new protocol to measure shrinkage of the thoracic and lumbar spine separately. BACKGROUND: Controversies still exist with regard to the load on the spine in a sitting compared to a standing position. Some report that shrinkage is greatest in the sitting position while others report the reverse. However, nothing is known about the height reduction of the thoracic and the lumbar spine during loading for 6.5 h in a real work environment. Therefore, the behaviour of the thoracic and the lumbar spine under practical condition has to be investigated. METHOD: A stadiometer with a measurement error of 0.51 mm was used to measure changes in spinal height during work. To exclude first-time behaviour of the spine, a pre-test lasting 50 min was undertaken. The mean of the last three measurements was used as the reference height. During work, height measurements of the spine were performed every 20 min. To separate the behaviour of the thoracic and the lumbar spine, two benchmarks were placed at the vertebrae prominens and at the thoracic-lumbar junction. Shrinkage of the spine was investigated within three different cohorts: (I) work in a sitting posture for 6.5 h; (II) relaxed sitting for 2 h vs work for 2 h in a sitting position and (III) work in a standing position for 6.5 h. RESULTS: Relaxed sitting leads to a gain in stature compared to work in a sitting position for 2 h. The major gain in stature occurred in the lumbar spine. Comparison of cohort (III) working in a standing position with cohort (I) working in a sitting position shows that the shrinkage of the spine is greatest when work is performed in a standing posture. The major differences were found in the shrinkage of the lumbar spine, e.g. shrinkage of the lumbar spine in the standing cohort (III) was 4.16 mm compared to 1.73 mm in the sitting cohort (I). CONCLUSIONS: There is a gain in stature during relaxed sitting compared to work in a sitting posture. The load on the spine is greatest when work in a standing position is performed. The greater shrinkage of the lumbar spine during work in a standing position compared to a sitting posture is probably due to: (i) differences in lumbar lordosis and (ii) the effect of bending and torsion while handling the work materials.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2007

The Work Compatibility Improvement Framework: an integrated perspective of the human-at-work system.

The industrial revolution demonstrated the limitations of a pure mechanistic approach towards work design. Human work is now seen as a complex entity that involves different scientific branches and blurs the line between mental and physical activities. Job design has been a traditional concern of applied psychology, which has provided insight into the interaction between the individual and the work environment. The goal of this paper is to introduce the human-at-work system as a holistic approach to organizational design. It postulates that the well-being of workers and work outcomes are issues that need to be addressed jointly, moving beyond traditional concepts of job satisfaction and work stress. The work compatibility model (WCM) is introduced as an engineering approach that seeks to integrate previous constructs of job and organizational design. The WCM seeks a balance between energy expenditure and replenishment. The implementation of the WCM in industrial settings is described within the context of the Work Compatibility Improvement Framework. A sample review of six models (motivation-hygiene theory; job characteristics theory; person-environment fit; demand-control model; and balance theory) provides the foundation for the interaction between the individual and the work environment. A review of three workload assessment methods (position analysis questionnaire, job task analysis and NASA task load index) gives an example of the foundation for the taxonomy of work environment domains. Previous models have sought to identify a balance state for the human-at-work system. They differentiated between the objective and subjective effects of the environment and the worker. An imbalance between the person and the environment has been proven to increase health risks. The WCM works with a taxonomy of 12 work domains classified in terms of the direct (acting) or indirect (experienced) effect on the worker. In terms of measurement, two quantitative methods are proposed to measure the state of the system. The first method introduced by Abdallah et al. (2004) identifies operating zones. The second method introduced by Salem et al. (2006) identifies the distribution of the work elements on the x/y coordinate plane. While previous efforts have identified some relevant elements of the systems, they failed to provide a holistic, quantitative approach combining organizational and human factors into a common framework. It is postulated that improving the well-being of workers will simultaneously improve organizational outcomes. The WCM moves beyond previous models by providing a hierarchical structure of work domains and a combination of methods to diagnose any organizational setting. The WCM is an attempt to achieve organizational excellence in human resource management, moving beyond job design to an integrated improvement strategy. A joint approach to organizational and job design will not only result in decreased prevalence of health risks, but in enhanced organizational effectiveness as well. The implementation of the WCM, that is, the Work Compatibility Improvement Framework, provides the basis for integrating different elements of the work environment into a single reliable construct. An improvement framework is essential to ensure that the measures of the WCM result in a system that is adaptive and self-regulated.

Employment↗

PubMed2006

Promoting excellent work ability and preventing poor work ability: the same determinants? Results from the Swedish HAKuL study.

AIM: Health has been described as a continuum between the two poles of excellent health and ill health. Research has so far focused on the negative pole, leaving knowledge about the positive pole vague. With a main focus on working life, the authors aim was to identify determinants promoting excellent work ability and determinants preventing poor work ability. METHODS: 5638 (73% answering rate) employees in the public sector in Sweden answered a questionnaire both at baseline and at follow up 18 months later. The employees were divided into three groups based on sick leave at follow up: excellent work ability (13%), poor work ability (15%), and a middle group (72%). Self reported sociodemographic data, lifestyle data, and working life exposures at baseline were fitted into logistic regression models to determine which factors, if any, promoted excellent work ability or protected against poor work ability. RESULTS: Some determinants were mutual, but more than half of the determinants in the final model were associated solely with promoting excellent work ability or preventing poor work ability, thus creating different patterns of associations. Promotion of excellent work ability seemed more dependent on physical factors, clear work tasks, and positive feedback, while prevention of poor work ability seemed more dependent on job security and psychosocial factors. CONCLUSIONS: This explorative longitudinal study showed slightly different patterns of determinants promoting excellent work ability and preventing poor work ability. As most of the identified determinants are amenable to influence, our results open up the possibility of interventions for promoting excellent work ability and preventing poor work ability.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Issues of work intensity, pace, and sustainability in relation to work context and nutritional status.

This article raises issues about work intensity, pace, and sustainability during physical activity, focusing attention on the nature of work in labor-intensive societies, the management of exertion in habitual tasks, and the health and broad socioeconomic correlates of alternative ways to regulate work patterns. At the heart of this review are concerns to document human adaptability (in terms of the physical and behavioral management of heavy work) and to renew debate regarding the conceptualization and measurement of work intensity (variously evaluated in absolute or relative terms, as indexed by oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, percentage maximal work capacity, heart rate elevation, time and motion indicators, or physiological cost). Three questions are examined: Is heavy work primarily a matter of time or energy intensity? How is heavy work habitually sustained? What is the bigger picture relating work performance to work context and to nutritional or health status? It is argued that many arduous activities, such as carrying loads, demand endurance over time rather than intensive effort per unit time, and that work pace management lies in regulating both the rate of work and the time in rest during physical activity. Furthermore, strategies that maximize long-term endurance (adopted by "tortoises") and those that maximize short-term productivity (adopted by "hares") are appropriate to different work contexts (e.g., a subsistence or wage-labor economy) and suit individuals with different health status and ability. Thus, work intensity is an important aspect of the links between physical activity, health, productivity, and society, as noted in literature reviewing objectives for sustainable development and public health messages for disease risk management. These areas of scholarship are underresearched, partly because consensus has been slow in agreeing on which are the best measures of work pace and work intensity for use in field situations, and which are the most meaningful thresholds for evaluating absolute or relative effort across a range of populations.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1985

A comparison of the effects of mixed static and dynamic work with mainly dynamic work in hot conditions.

Current physiological criteria for limiting work in hot conditions are frequently based on responses to mainly dynamic work (eg treadmill walking). Their applicability to industrial situations containing mixed static and dynamic work is questioned, since the physiological responses to static work are different from those of dynamic work. Each of eight subjects attempted a one hour uphill treadmill walk (mainly dynamic work), and an uphill treadmill walk whilst intermittently carrying a 20 kg weight in the arms (mixed static and dynamic work). The external work rates in the two conditions were equal, effected by lowering the treadmill gradient in the loaded condition. Experiments were conducted in a hot climate (33 degrees C dry bulb, 25 degrees C wet bulb). Oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, sweat rate and rated perceived exertion were all significantly higher (p less than 0.001) for the mixed static and dynamic work than for the dynamic work. This was also the case for heart rate and forearm skin temperature (p less than 0.01), and for auditory canal temperature (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two types of work for mean skin temperature, calf skin temperature and chest skin temperature. These results show that for the same external work, physiological strain and perceived exertion are greater for mixed static and dynamic work (carrying a load in the arms) than for mainly dynamic work (walking on a treadmill). They suggest that it is not appropriate to make direct comparisons of laboratory studies based on dynamic work, with practical situations containing mixed static and dynamic work in the heat.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Work beliefs and work status in epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine differences in work beliefs between people with epilepsy who work and those who do not work. METHODS: One hundred thirteen subjects (58 females, 55 males) 41.56+/-11.42 years of age and with a seizure duration of 22.88+/-12.96 years (means+/-SD) were assessed. RESULTS: Forty percent worked full-time, 10% worked part-time, and 50% did not work. Twelve of the fifty-six who worked had more than one seizure per month, compared with 29 of 57 who did not work. There were significant differences between the working and nonworking groups: The nonworking group believed that (1) they had to work to be "normal," (2) they did not have enough education, (3) not having a job was the only barrier to independent living, (4) their families feared work injuries, (5) working represented a risk of injury, (6) they would hurt others if they had a seizure at work, (7) their families did not want them to work, and (8) seizures would negatively affect job performance. CONCLUSION: Work beliefs are important factors contributing to work status.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Socioeconomic inequalities in health in the working population: the contribution of working conditions.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to study the impact of different categories of working conditions on the association between occupational class and self-reported health in the working population. METHODS: Data were collected through a postal survey conducted in 1991 among inhabitants of 18 municipalities in the southeastern Netherlands. Data concerned 4521 working men and 2411 working women and included current occupational class (seven classes), working conditions (physical working conditions, job control, job demands, social support at work), perceived general health (very good or good versus less than good) and demographic confounders. Data were analysed with logistic regression techniques. RESULTS: For both men and women we observed a higher odds ratio for a less than good perceived general health in the lower occupational classes (adjusted for confounders). The odds of a less than good perceived general health was larger among people reporting more hazardous physical working conditions, lower job control, lower social support at work and among those in the highest category of job demands. Results were similar for men and women. Men and women in the lower occupational classes reported more hazardous physical working conditions and lower job control as compared to those in higher occupational classes. High job demands were more often reported in the higher occupational classes, while social support at work was not clearly related to occupational class. When physical working conditions and job control were added simultaneously to a model with occupational class and confounders, the odds ratios for occupational classes were reduced substantially. For men, the per cent change in the odds ratios for the occupational classes ranged between 35% and 83%, and for women between 35% and 46%. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial part of the association between occupational class and a less than good perceived general health in the working population could be attributed to a differential distribution of hazardous physical working conditions and a low job control across occupational classes. This suggests that interventions aimed at improving these working conditions might result in a reduction of socioeconomic inequalities in health in the working population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Relationship of employee-reported work limitations to work productivity.

BACKGROUND: Work limitation rates are crucial indicators of the health status of working people. If related to work productivity, work limitation rates may also supply important information about the economic burden of illness. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the productivity impact of on-the-job work limitations due to employees' physical or mental health problems. RESEARCH DESIGN: Subjects were asked to complete a self-administered survey on the job during 3 consecutive months. Using robust regression analysis, we tested the relationship of objectively-measured work productivity to employee-reported work limitations. SUBJECTS: We attempted to survey employees of a large firm within 3 different jobs. The survey response rate was 2245 (85.9%). Full survey and productivity data were available for 1827 respondents. MEASURES: Each survey included a validated self-report instrument, the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ). The firm provided objective, employee-level work productivity data. RESULTS: In adjusted regression analyses (n = 1827), employee work productivity (measured as the log of units produced/hour) was significantly associated with 3 dimensions of work limitations: limitations handling the job's time and scheduling demands (P = 0.003), physical job demands (P = 0.001), and output demands (P = 0.006). For every 10% increase in on-the-job work limitations reported on each of the 3 WLQ scales, work productivity declined approximately 4 to 5%. CONCLUSION: Employee work limitations have a negative impact on work productivity. Employee assessments of their work limitations supply important proxies for the economic burden of health problems.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Work ethics and general work attitudes in adolescents are related to quality of life, sense of coherence and subjective health - a Swedish questionnaire study.

BACKGROUND: Working life is an important arena in most people's lives, and the working line concept is important for the development of welfare in a society. For young people, the period before permanent establishment in working life has become longer during the last two decades. Knowledge about attitudes towards work can help us to understand young people's transition to the labour market. Adolescents are the future workforce, so it seems especially important to notice their attitudes towards work, including attitudes towards the welfare system. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse upper secondary school students' work attitudes, and to explore factors related to these attitudes. METHODS: The sample consisted of 606 upper secondary school students. They all received a questionnaire including questions about quality of life (QOL), sense of coherence (SOC), subjective health and attitudes towards work. The response rate was 91%. A factor analysis established two dimensions of work attitudes. Multivariate analyses were carried out by means of logistic regression models. RESULTS: Work ethics (WE) and general work attitudes (GWA) were found to be two separate dimensions of attitudes towards work. Concerning WE the picture was similar regardless of gender or study programme. Males in theoretical programmes appeared to have more unfavourable GWA than others. Multivariate analyses revealed that good QOL, high SOC and good health were significantly related to positive WE, and high SOC was positively related to GWA. Being female was positively connected to WE and GWA, while studying on a practical programme was positively related to GWA only. Among those who received good parental support, GWA seemed more favourable. CONCLUSION: Assuming that attitudes towards work are important to the working line concept, this study points out positive factors of importance for the future welfare of the society. Individual factors such as female gender, good QOL, high SOC and good health as well as support from both parents, positive experience of school and work contacts related positively to attitudes towards work. Further planning and supportive work have to take these factors into account.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Perceived work stress, imbalance between work and family/personal lives, and mental disorders.

BACKGROUND: Occupational mental health research has been focusing on the relationship between work stress and depression. However, the impacts of work stress on anxiety disorders and of imbalance between work and family life on workers' mental health have not been well studied. This analysis investigated the association between levels of perceived work stress and of imbalance between work and family/personal lives and current mood/anxiety disorders. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS-1.2) (n=36,984). Mood and anxiety disorders were measured using the World Mental Health-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS: The 1-month prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders among those with a work stress score at the 75th percentile value and above was 3.6% and 4.0%. Among those who reported that their work and family/personal lives "never" balanced in the past month, the 1-month prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders was 21.2% and 17.9%. In multivariate analyses, work stress and imbalance between work and family/personal lives were independently associated with mood and anxiety disorders. There was no evidence that perceived work stress interacted with imbalance between work and family/personal lives to increase the likelihood of having mental disorders. Gender was associated with anxiety disorders, but not with major depressive disorder and mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Work stress and imbalance between work and family/personal lives may be part of the etiology of mood and anxiety disorders in the working population. Community based longitudinal studies are needed to delineate the causal relationships among work stress, imbalance between work and family/personal lives and mental disorders.

Adolescent↗